GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, N.C. – On Saturday, September 14 Grandfather Mountain once again opens its gates to the Girl Scouts of America for the 43rd Annual Girl Scout Day. All Girl Scouts and troop leaders will be admitted free with proof of membership, and can enjoy free nature programs provided by Grandfather’s naturalists.

Activities offered this year include tree identification, clouds and weather observations, birding and the Monarch Butterfly program. The purpose of these programs is to offer girls different ways to learn more about nature and develop wilderness skills while having fun and meeting other Girl Scouts from all over North Carolina.

Girl Scouts ages 10 years and older can participate in a High Elevation Hike at 10 a.m. with one of Grandfather’s interpretive rangers. This hike is strenuous and scouts will need to bring water, snacks and have appropriate footwear. Space is limited to 15 scouts and chaperones are welcome.

Another optional program that scouts can register for is Nature Journaling at 2 p.m. Participants will make nature journals to take home, and discuss tools to become better observers of our environment just as famous naturalists like Charles Darwin, John Muir and Aldo Leopold did centuries ago. Space for Nature Journaling is limited to 40 scouts. To reserve a spot for either of these two optional programs please contact the Naturalist Department at (828) 733-4326.

Grandfather Mountain first adopted the Girl Scouts in 1971, beginning a long-standing tradition of a special day in September where girls would be invited to learn more about nature and the Blue Ridge Mountains in a hands-on way. The Scouts returned the favor by adopting Grandfather’s late mascot, Mildred the Bear, as an honorary Girl Scout and presenting her with a series of pins to mark her many years with the organization.

After 43 years the tradition of Girl Scout Day lives on as Grandfather Mountain continues to welcome Girl Scouts to the mountain each year. All Girl Scouts and troop leaders are admitted free with proof of membership and accompanying family members will receive discount admission. For more information about Girl Scout Day please contact the Naturalist Department at (828) 733-4326.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.